Greetings—

Thirteen percent of adults in immigrant families with children worried “a lot” or “some” about visiting a doctor’s office or health clinic, a new report from Urban Institute experts finds. In mixed-status families with children—where one or more members are undocumented and others are citizens, permanent residents, or otherwise lawfully present in the US—30 percent shared that concern.    

Using data from Urban’s December 2024 Wellbeing and Basic Needs Survey, the researchers aim to provide an understanding of the concerns and responses of immigrant families in the wake of the 2024 election. They also find that:

17 percent of adults in all immigrant families with children and 32 percent in mixed-status families with children worried “a lot” or “some” about sending their kids to school or daycare.
11 percent of adults in all immigrant families and over 22 percent in mixed-status families worried “a lot” or “some” about attending religious services or community events.
19 percent of adults in all immigrant families and 44 percent in mixed-status families worried “a lot” or “some” about driving a car.
32 percent of adults in all immigrant families worried “a lot” or “some” that they, a family member, or a close friend could be deported. In mixed-status families, this was 58 percent. 
Among adults who reported worry about deportation, nearly half (48 percent) had taken one or more protective steps to prepare for a potential change in their or a family member’s immigration status.

According to the researchers, targeting immigrant communities with threats of widespread enforcement will have a variety of impacts for the well-being and safety of families and the communities where they live. Children and adults may miss out on needed health care, education, and social services, which could have negative impacts on their health and other outcomes.

Read the report to learn more. If you have questions for the research team, please reply to this email so we can connect you.

Thanks,